What if the reason you're not trying your hardest isn't because you're lazy, but rather, it's because of cynicism?
Expect to learn:
- Why it's so tempting to act cynical
- Where does cynicism originate from?
- What price do we pay by being cynical instead of trying hard?
- Why people who try hard have the most fun
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Less Clueless Podcast:
Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/57rTC8c...
Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Inquiries:
hi@stevesima.com
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In high school, the "cool kids" are the ones who play it cool, the ones who try the least, the ones who make fun of everything. Most of us eventually grow out of this cynical attitude, but unfortunately, some of us don't.
Richie Jeromovich from the series The Bear is the classic adult cynic. Richie thinks there's no point in trying, and he makes fun of anyone does try to be better. But underneath that cynicism and nihilism, Richie is just scared. He used to care, he used to have hopes, dreams, and ambition. But life happened, and now he feels like he's fallen behind, and that his dreams are out of reach. Richie thinks he's a loser, and that his friends will one day leave him behind, so he turns to the comfort of cynicism.
One day, Richie is sent to "stage" at the best restaurant in the world - a place where every detail matters, including polishing forks. At first, Richie doesn't take anything seriously, and is reprimanded for it. But after seeing the power of hospitality to impact people's lives, Richie's skepticism begins to crack.
Richie realized that when he actually gives a damn, when he cares, he's an absolute star at his job. But most importantly, he realized that he derives tremendous meaning and purpose from acts of service, from making somebody's day. By trying hard, by taking his job seriously, and taking himself seriously, Richie was able to find the one thing he craved the most - self-respect. He realized that paying attention to details and being a professional isn't about other people, it's about respecting yourself.
By surrounding himself with people who give a damn, Richie discovered that trying hard is cool, trying hard is fun.
Yes, if you make fun of everything, you can never be hurt by anything. Cynicism protects you from disappointment, from failure, from getting hurt. But:
"The people getting the most out of their lives are the ones who wear their hearts on their sleeves, the ones who allow themselves to be passionate, and open, and vulnerable, and who approach everything they love at full-throttle, with curiosity, and delight, and unguarded enthusiasm" - Will Guidara (former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park), Unreasonable Hospitality
If Richie can go from angry cynic to someone who belts out Taylor Swift's "Love Story" and says things like "Microbasil, f*ck yeah!", it's never too late for the rest of us.
(Get excited for The Bear season 3!)
#selfawareness #cynicism #enthusiasm